George Rouse of Biraganbil (1816-1888)
Biraganbil homestead (now demolished) in a wet season. (Courtesy Mrs Faye Dobson)
Source: Rouse family history
1901 - Biraganbil. THE OLD HOMESTEAD OF THE ROUSE FAMILY.
(By "St. Magnus.")
Biraganbil, the old homestead of the Rouse family, is situated on the Cudgegong River, about six miles from Gulgong. The dwelling house is a most beautiful and picturesque spot, with a clear stream in front, surrounded by green pasture lands and cultivated paddocks, with a background of dark wooded hills. The property is now in the hands of Richard Rouse, jun. The homestead is like a large-sized country village. The dwelling-house is a noble structure of brick, two storeys high, with a large court-yard in the centre, something after the style of Spanish dwellings of the better class, only the Australian dwelling is by far and away superior to any Spanish dwelling I ever saw. The courtyard is paved, kept scrupulously clean, and ornamented, by a multitude of flowering plants.
The outside of the building is in keeping with the inside. There is a wealth of ornamental plants as well as a fine orchard, with windmills for irrigation or other purposes. The outbuildings are large and include quarters for a small army of men. There are a steam flour mill, blacksmith and wheelwright's shop, stores, wool shed, stables, cow sheds, men's quarters, etc, and the buildings are nearly all of brick. The reason for this large assemblage of buildings is because Biraganbil was originally the homestead of the late George Rouse, and formed the head station of all his holdings, scattered far and wide over the country. The property has now been subdivided and sold, and the present proprietor holds about 12,000 acres, 8000 of which are freehold. The property has been improved by ringbarking, clearing, etc. The flat lands on the banks of the Cudgegong are all composed of prime agricultural and pastoral lands, and produce excellent crops of cereals, grasses, etc. In addition to the indigenous grasses, prairie grass, rye grass, cocksfoot, and lucerne are grown. The whole, estate is subdivided into paddocks, and watered by the Cudgegong River, and by creeks, dams, and tanks. The stock on the station comprises about 10,000 sheep, besides horses and cattle.
There are about 3000 stud sheep, mostly of the old Broombee breed, the members of which always hold their own in the district. The rams and ewes used in the double stud of this flock always fetch remarkably high prices in the market, and there, is a good demand for them. An attempt was made some years ago to introduce the Vermont strain in the flock, and 500 guineas was paid for a Barooga Vermont ram, but Mr. Rouse's customers would not take to the new strain, and demanded the old Broombee blood, and, out of deference to their wishes, he stuck to the old flock. Rams of the Broombee breed have cut as high as 291b per fleece, and ewes up to 151b and 16ib each. The Biraganbil horses, especially thoroughbreds and hackneys, have always held their own in the market, and there are several well-known animals now on the property; for instance, Clieveden, own brother to Mr. White's Chester. Among mares may be mentioned Melissa, the dam of Survivor and Mavourneen, and La Belle, the dam of Marvel. Several of the mares this year have dropped very fine foals by Voyou. The well-known hackney stallion Adventurer is also on the property. There are, taken all round, a large number of very fine young stock on the premises. The cattle on the property are mostly Shorthorns, and thrive well under the splendid conditions for their breedings.
Shearing is still done by hand at Biraganbil; the shearers being mostly farmers' sons from the neighborhood, who are a much superior class of men to the roving swagmen. Mr. Rouse's parlor is "studded with trophies of cups, etc., honors won by the stock owned or bred on the property, "and as a stockbreeder the proprietor may well be proud of his achievements. The gold fields encroach closely upon the homestead. The Biraganbil field is close to the house, and diamonds and gold have been found in the river, in fact, if the river banks were thoroughly searched it is probable payable gold might be found. As a whole the property is very complete, well cared for, and displays skill and capacity in every detail of its management.
